December 14, 2001

Rimando and Bocanegra Vie for World Cup Berths

Among those competing for the opportunity to represent the
United States at the World Cup this summer are a pair of highly
regarded Mexican-American MLS stars, Nick Rimando and Carlos Bocanegra.

Rimando's solid goalkeeping this past season in Miami helped
to transform the Fusion from a perennial doormat into one of the
league's best teams. Bocanegra, the MLS Rookie of the Year in
2000 was equally brilliant starring for the Chicago Fire as a
central defender. Both however, face an uphill climb in landing
one of the coveted 23 positions on the U.S. roster. Following
their week-long training in preparation for a Dec. 9 friendly
versus South Korea, Bocanegra and Ri-mando were realistic about
the situation.

"There are a lot of great goalkeepers in the United States
right now," Rimando explained. "(Brad) Friedel and Kasey
(Keller) already have it sealed, so it is the third position that
we are fighting for. It's quite a battle. There is Timmy Howard,
(Zach) Thornton, me and (Tom) Presthus. It is going to come down
to the wire and who ever does better, deserves to go.

Prospects are no more promising for Bocanegra, a mainstay in
the Chicago Fire's defense for the past two seasons. "Making
the World Cup roster is definitely a goal, but it is going to
be tough for me this time," Bocanegra admitted. "But
injuries occur and I'm going to work real hard, so maybe I can
sneak in for that last spot. I'm not counting on it, but I'm definitely
working towards it."

In order to qualify for one of the 23 available positions,
Bocanegra will have to convince coach Bruce Arena that he will
be more valuable than a talented group of more experienced players.
Four of them played under Arena when he led DC United to consecutive
MLS titles. To make things worse, four of the additional U.S.
players competing for the same job have landed jobs with highly
regarded European clubs.

So, while neither Rimando or Bocanegra are likely to be there
when the U.S. opens World Cup play on June 5 versus Portugal in
South Korea, both are at least being considered. Their inclusion
in Arena's latest U.S. national team camp indicates they may in
the not too distant future, don the red white and blue. With several
of the players who occupy the spots currently beyond the 30 year
mark, Rimando and Bocanegra may not have much longer to wait.

Bocanegra gained his first cap playing the entire second half
of the December 9
friendly versus South Korea. While the U.S. fell 1-0, their play
improved in the second half when Bocanegra was on the field. Rimando
was left behind in favor of Thornton.

Regardless of whether they make it to South Korea, Bocanegra
and Rimando were pleased with the favorable World Cup draw the
U.S. received last weekend. Their group includes South Korea,
Portugal and Poland. More significant is who it doesn't include.

"Every team that makes it to the World Cup is a great
team and deserves to be there, but I think we got a good draw
knowing that we didn't get Brazil or France or somebody like that,"
Rimando said. "Still, we know we are going to be playing
against world class players. Every team we go up against is going
to provide a great task for us."